Australian soldier dies in Afghanistan
1:57

Chief of Defence Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin says an Australian soldier has died overnight in a 'non-combat' incident in Afghanistan.

News Corp Australia

02 Jul 2014

News

THE mystery surrounding the shooting death of an Australian Commando in Afghanistan deepened when it emerged no weapon had been found in the room at Kabul airport where the elite soldier was fatally injured by a single gunshot.

Earlier reports from NATO Military Police investigators said that three weapons were being examined in what was regarded as a suspected suicide.

However a follow-up report stated that no weapon had been recovered from the scene.

The second report also stated that there was no sign of any projectile entering the building and no indication of the angle of the weapon or any ballistic measurements.

It is possible that the gun was removed and the scene contaminated during frantic attempts to save the special-forces soldier.

The un-named multiple tour Afghanistan veteran, a Lance Corporal from the Sydney based 2nd Commando Regiment, died surrounded by his mates after being shot in the upper torso at about 2pm on Tuesday in what Defence described as a “non-combat related incident”.

A US-led NATO investigation unit secured the scene and was collecting evidence for the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS).

Dead soldier ... mystery still surrounds the shooting death of an Australian Commando in Afghanistan.Source: News Limited

“Early reports are often wrong and this incident remains a mystery,” a well-placed source said.

Defence Chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin was at pains to point out the importance of facts to the investigation.

“It is critical that we let this investigation take its course, to examine the evidence and establish the facts rather than to speculate about the details or circumstances surrounding the incident,” ACM Binskin said.

The Defence investigation into the shooting death of Private Jake Kovco in Iraq in 2006 was seriously compromised by the release of false information.

Shocking news ... Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin announced the SAS soldier's death in a non-combat-related incident in Afghanistan. Picture: Alan PorrittSource: News Corp Australia

Immediate first aid was administered and the Commando was quickly transferred to a Role 2 medical facility where he underwent intensive emergency treatment, but he could not be saved.

Just two days into his new job Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin fronted the media to make the solemn announcement that the nation had lost its 41st soldier in Afghanistan.

“On behalf of the Australian Defence Force I offer my condolences to the soldier’s family.

“He was a highly qualified and well respected Special Forces soldier.

“His death will impact the nation, and we will do all we can to support his family, friends and colleagues through the difficult days ahead,” ACM Binskin said.

Was he targeted? ... an investigation is underway in to the solider’s death.Source: News Limited

He said that the soldier’s family had requested that his name and all other personal details not be released.

A team from ADFIS has been sent to Kabul to conduct the investigation.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss offered his sympathies to the soldier’s family, describing the news as tragic considering that Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan has largely ended.

“It is a tragedy that after Australia’s official engagement has largely wound down that we should lose another Australian in Afghanistan,” he said.

About 400 Australian military personnel are still serving in Afghanistan including trainers, headquarters and security personnel and logistics and movements staff in Kabul and trainers and security teams in Kandahar.

Forty one Australians have died and almost 300 have been wounded during the conflict that began in October 2001. The last to die was Commando Corproal Cameron Baird in June 2013 who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

CLP cabinet minister John Elferink charged taxpayers more than $45,000 for a ‘study trip’ to the United States over the Christmas holidays, including visits to Cape Canaveral Space Base and Universal Studios.